The spell of motherhood is a miraculous enchantment that transcends time and space. It is a sacred bond that connects a mother to her child in an unbreakable thread of love and devotion. From the moment a woman becomes a mother, she is forever changed, forever transported into a realm of selflessness, tenderness, and immense joy. Motherhood has the power to awaken within a woman a strength and resilience she never knew she possessed. It calls upon her to sacrifice her own needs and desires for the sake of her child, to put their well-being above all else. It is in this act of selflessness that the true magic of motherhood lies.
-She also talks about the difference between the Pythia, the Oracle at Delphi, and The Goddess Cassandra
In late-twentieth-century China, despite regional and ethnic differences in women s economic participation in the north and south, family continuity through birth of a son to carry on the family name remained a cherished goal. The mother s fear of child loss is universal, omnipotent and inescapable, Smith Private Matters In Defense of the Personal Life argues; women s urge to protect their young is their bottom line, their most fundamental drive.
It is in this act of selflessness that the true magic of motherhood lies. Through sleepless nights, endless diaper changes, and countless tears, a mother embraces the challenges of raising a child with unwavering determination. She becomes a protector, a teacher, and a constant source of comfort and support.
A POTENT SPELL: Mother Love and the Power of Fear
The "mother's fear of child loss" is universal, omnipotent and inescapable, Smith ( Private Matters: In Defense of the Personal Life ) argues; women's urge to protect their young is their bottom line, their most fundamental drive. This "maternal vulnerability" explains much about "women's unequal status" in society, as it makes it difficult for women—the majority of whom become mothers—to commit to the job world as men do. (Why men are not similarly afflicted goes largely unexplained.) Furthermore, Smith argues, throughout human history, "mother blaming" has been a key method of maintaining high levels of "maternal sacrifice." To support her argument, Smith calls on anecdotes from her own mothering experiences, as well as examples from various Greek classics, Puritan meditations on child loss and child-rearing advice manuals. While her choice of evidence is hardly systematic, it's the conclusions she draws from her hypothesis that are most problematic. She suggests more social support for "free mothers," such as flexible career paths and better day care, yet these measures might not make much difference if mother-love obsession is, as she believes, instinctive. The author means well, but pads her book with repeated assertions and doesn't fully explore the existential implications of mother-love obsession. Her pleas to stop guilt-tripping employed moms and her endorsement of more social responsibility for child-rearing will find favor with many feminist readers, but her overall argument is so muddled it will be hard to appeal to anyone. Agent, Miriam Altshuler. (Jan. 16)
DETAILS share BUY THIS BOOK close DetailsReviewed on: 11/04/2002
Paperback - 289 pages - 978-0-618-44673-5
The "mother's fear of child loss" is universal, omnipotent and inescapable, Smith ( Private Matters: In Defense of the Personal Life ) argues; women's urge to protect their young is their bottom line, their most fundamental drive. This "maternal vulnerability" explains much about "women's unequal status" in society, as it makes it difficult for women—the majority of whom become mothers—to commit to the job world as men do. (Why men are not similarly afflicted goes largely unexplained.) Furthermore, Smith argues, throughout human history, "mother blaming" has been a key method of maintaining high levels of "maternal sacrifice." To support her argument, Smith calls on anecdotes from her own mothering experiences, as well as examples from various Greek classics, Puritan meditations on child loss and child-rearing advice manuals. While her choice of evidence is hardly systematic, it's the conclusions she draws from her hypothesis that are most problematic. She suggests more social support for "free mothers," such as flexible career paths and better day care, yet these measures might not make much difference if mother-love obsession is, as she believes, instinctive. The author means well, but pads her book with repeated assertions and doesn't fully explore the existential implications of mother-love obsession. Her pleas to stop guilt-tripping employed moms and her endorsement of more social responsibility for child-rearing will find favor with many feminist readers, but her overall argument is so muddled it will be hard to appeal to anyone. Agent, Miriam Altshuler. (Jan. 16)
Each milestone, each smile, and each small victory brings her immeasurable joy and fills her heart to the brim. The love that a mother feels for her child is a force unlike any other. It is unconditional, all-encompassing, and boundless. It is a love that knows no limits, no boundaries. It is a love that withstands the tests of time and grows stronger with each passing day. But motherhood is not without its trials. It is a journey filled with doubt, fear, and uncertainty. It is a delicate dance of balancing responsibilities, managing emotions, and learning from mistakes. Yet, it is in these moments of vulnerability that a mother discovers her own resilience and finds solace in the support of other mothers who have walked this path before her. Motherhood is a spell that forever intertwines a woman's life with her child's. It is a spell that cannot be broken, a spell that changes her in ways she could never imagine. It is a spell that brings forth a love so pure and so powerful that it can move mountains and change the course of lives. No matter the challenges, the sacrifices, or the hardships, a mother's love remains steadfast and unwavering. It is a love that is felt in the touch of a gentle hand, heard in the sound of a comforting voice, and seen in the twinkle of her eye when she looks upon her child. It is a love that is felt in the deepest corners of the heart, a love that defies boundaries and defies logic. The spell of motherhood is a journey of growth, of self-discovery, and of boundless love. It is a journey that stretches a woman beyond her limits and allows her to tap into the deepest corners of her soul. It is a journey that forever changes her, for she will never be the same woman she was before. Motherhood is a spell that captivates, enchants, and nourishes the soul. It is a spell that fills the world with love, compassion, and a profound sense of belonging. It is a spell that weaves together the threads of humanity and connects us all in a tapestry of motherly love..
Reviews for "The Gift of Motherhood: Celebrating the Miracle of Life"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "The Spell of Motherhood" to be quite disappointing. The book promised to delve into the complexities of motherhood, but instead, it was filled with cliches and overly sentimental stories. The author's writing style felt forced and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with the characters or their experiences. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more substance from this book.
2. Emily - 1 star - "The Spell of Motherhood" was a complete letdown for me. I was expecting an insightful exploration of the challenges and joys of motherhood, but instead, I was met with a shallow and predictable narrative. The characters were one-dimensional, and their stories lacked complexity or nuance. Moreover, the writing was uninspiring, with repetitive phrases and a lack of originality. Sadly, I cannot recommend this book to anyone looking for a meaningful exploration of motherhood.
3. Samantha - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Spell of Motherhood," but it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked depth and failed to capture the true complexity of motherhood. The stories felt disconnected and lacked a cohesive narrative thread. Additionally, the writing style was dull and unengaging, making it difficult to stay invested in the stories being told. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this portrayal of motherhood.
4. Michael - 1 star - I regret picking up "The Spell of Motherhood." The book was filled with predictable and cliched stories about motherhood, offering nothing new or unique to the genre. The characters were shallow, and their experiences felt contrived. Furthermore, the writing itself was lackluster, with repetitive descriptions and weak dialogue. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and not worth the time invested in reading it.
5. Rachel - 2 stars - As a new mother, I was looking forward to reading "The Spell of Motherhood" for some relatable insights. However, I was left feeling disappointed by the lack of depth and originality in this book. The stories felt like surface-level observations rather than a genuine exploration of the challenges and joys of motherhood. Additionally, the writing style was unremarkable and failed to capture the complexity of the experiences being depicted. Overall, I found this book to be a missed opportunity to offer a meaningful exploration of motherhood.